From Julianna Margulies to Sofia Vergara, Monday's #Emmys were full of highs and lows for women

Is it really a 'wonderful time for women on television'? Mixed messages in Monday's #Emmys show

We may be living in "a wonderful time for women on television," as Julianna Margulies observed Monday in her Emmys acceptance speech, an era when there are so many great dramatic roles for women on the small screen that people like Tatiana Maslany and Elisabeth Moss fail to even receive nominations.

This was the first time the Emmys were held on a Monday since 1976, which meant that E!'s red carpet Dorian Gray, Ryan Seacrest, was unable to attend, leaving a void in the coverage. Well, emptier than usual.

This was the first time the Emmys were held on a Monday since 1976, which meant that E!'s red carpet Dorian Gray, Ryan Seacrest, was unable to attend, leaving a void in the coverage. Well, emptier than usual. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)

Giuliana Rancic glossed over Kit Harington's work in "Game of Thrones" to talk about the actor becoming the face of Jimmy Choo shoes. Because Emmy night is a celebration of endorsement deals.

Giuliana Rancic glossed over Kit Harington's work in "Game of Thrones" to talk about the actor becoming the face of Jimmy Choo shoes. Because Emmy night is a celebration of endorsement deals. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

Some actors take a Prius to awards shows to make a statement. Jimmy Kimmel took things a step further and rode public transportation from Hollywood to downtown L.A. to get to the Emmys. Probably the smartest move of the night.

Some actors take a Prius to awards shows to make a statement. Jimmy Kimmel took things a step further and rode public transportation from Hollywood to downtown L.A. to get to the Emmys. Probably the smartest move of the night. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

What does a nominee bring to the Emmys? Sarah Silverman brought cash, her drivers license, her cellphone and liquid pot in an e-cig. Perhaps the most insightful E! red carpet interview ever.

What does a nominee bring to the Emmys? Sarah Silverman brought cash, her drivers license, her cellphone and liquid pot in an e-cig. Perhaps the most insightful E! red carpet interview ever. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

The gag seemed designed to bring some levity to the dull yet obligatory awards-show moment when whichever institution happens to be handing out the trophies rattles off its mission statement, but instead it struck many as being unabashedly sexist. As Rosenblum boasted about the academy's diversity track record, Vergara preened and posed like a beauty pageant contestant on a spinning platform.

"Our success is based on always giving the viewer something compelling to watch," he said. (Get it?)

The joke, which called to mind Seth MacFarlane's "We Saw Your Boobs" song from last year's Oscars, sparked an immediate backlash on social media, where it was denounced as "tone-deaf" and "overtly sexist and kinda racist." Even Katie Couric deemed it "somewhat offensive." Many observers noted the dramatic contrast with Beyoncé's bravura, 15-minute performance the night before at the VMAs, where the songstress appeared before an enormous screen with the word "FEMINIST" written in all caps.

Critics Tuesday morning were equally displeased: The Times' Mary McNamara said the gag was "pretty horrifying."

But backstage at the Emmys, Vergara defended herself against the supposed "haters." "I think somebody can be hot and funny," she said, countering that her critics have "no sense of humor" and need to "lighten up a little bit."

Whatever the truth may be, the revolving-platform shtick overshadowed what in some ways was a milestone Emmys for women. Though they made up just 26% of this year's non-gender-specific nominees, women still managed to take home prizes in the traditionally male-dominated categories of writing (Moira Walley-Beckett for "Breaking Bad") and directing (Gail Mancuso for "Modern Family").

Of course, Vergara is also an accomplished actress, having been nominated for an Emmy four times for her charming performance as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on "Modern Family," which to some only made her willful participation in the stunt worse.

But Vergara and Rosenblum weren't the only people accused of sexism Monday night. Adding to the night's weird gender vibe was, of all people, Stephen Colbert. Accepting his second-consecutive variety series Emmy for "The Colbert Report," the comedian thanked his predominantly male writing staff.

"I’m so proud of those guys — and one woman," he said, adding, "Sorry for that, for some reason."

The intended effect of Colbert's last statement was unclear, but his comment struck many as dismissive of concerns over the persistent lack of diversity in late-night comedy. All this from someone able to explain the roots of misogyny in young men with great sensitivity and insight? Say it ain't so!

There is no such thing as a fluke Hollywood Bowl triumph. Given the combination of severely limited rehearsal time, amplification and summer orchestral doldrums, so much can go wrong that an outstanding conductor can easily make a poor first impression.

On a Tuesday night in February, the line to get into the Echoplex stretched all the way down Glendale Boulevard. Hundreds of mid-20s to early-30-somethings waited with huge grins on their faces, ready to hear the music that changed their young lives. Once inside, they crowd-surfed, moshed and...